Alerts

Mortgage Help

Federally regulated Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have come together to get the word out about mortgage relief options for those affected by natural disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Our goal is to make sure you have time to focus on your safety. Here is what you need to do to get help.

What help is available?

If you are affected by the recent hurricanes, you are eligible to temporarily stop making your monthly mortgage payment for up to 12 months. At the end of this temporary payment break:

You won’t have late fees.

You won’t have delinquencies reported to the credit rating agencies.

You won’t have to catch up on all of your payments at once.

You can work with your servicer to resume making a mortgage payment that is similar to what you paid before thedisaster. Or if you need additional assistance, you can work with your servicer on options to keep your home.

Contact your mortgage servicer (the company where you send your monthly payments) as soon as possible to let them know about your current circumstances. The telephone number and mailing address of your mortgage servicer should be listed on your monthly mortgage statement. You also can look it up on the Mortgage Bankers Association website at www.mba.org/news-research-and-resources/hurricane-relief.

If you are having difficulty contacting your mortgage servicer, contact the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) for assistance and FREE confidential support from a HUD-approved housing counselor.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers assistance and information about dealing with a disaster on their website at www.fema.gov. Also, visit their website to find information specific to Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma at www.fema.gov/hurricane-harvey and www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma. To locate federal, state, and local resources and assistance, you can also go to www.disasterassistance.gov.

Other Resources

Other helpful resources can be found on The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website at www.hud.gov and the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/get-help.

FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS — Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert has amended the debris permit with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and has verbal approval from FEMA to allow the County to pick up bagged debris.

“We are sorry for any frustration this has caused our residents; we heard you and have negotiated with the TCEQ and FEMA for an amended permit and a simpler process. As of 1:45 pm today, we have approval to haul bagged debris.” says Judge Hebert, “If you have already bagged your debris, just leave it on the curb to be picked up. The crews today and tomorrow may not be able to get it since it requires different equipment to pick up bagged debris, but we will come by to pick it up later.” As before, place household trash in your regular bin for pickup, as we cannot take household trash to the debris disposal sites.

If your cars are parked on the street the trucks will not be able to pick up your debris. Please move your vehicles off the street so the trucks can pick up your debris.

Debris removal equipment will cover the affected areas of the county several times over the coming weeks. If your neighborhood has not seen the debris trucks yet, you will soon. If you are not able to get your debris to the curb yet, the trucks will be by a few more times to pick it up and haul it away.

Remember that all debris has to be separated. The Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management has information posted on their website about debris separation; residents should check this flyer to ensure their debris is properly sorted so it can be hauled away as quickly and cleanly as possible.

If you need assistance cleaning your house after the floods, call CrisisCleanup at 844-965-1386 to request a volunteer team to come help you. If you are able to help your neighbors with cleanup, the safest and most efficient way to get connected is through Volunteer Houston, or another cleanup organization you may already have a relationship with. More information about getting help with clean-up or volunteering to help others with clean-up can be found at http://FortBendRecovers.org.

In an effort to provide timely, efficient service to Municipal Solid Waste Program customers in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, City management and WCA developed a collection plan to resume regular and recycling service for residents starting this Monday, Sept. 11 at 7 a.m.

“We are grateful to WCA officials for working with us to immediately provide solid waste to our citizens as the City recovers from Hurricane Harvey,” said City Manager Anthony J. Snipes. “This timely response aligns with our goal to consistently provide superior service to residents.”

The City is also partnering with Fort Bend County to provide residents with up-to-date information about storm debris pickup plans. The updated FAQs below address the most common solid waste questions being asked in the community.

Residents are asked to park vehicles away from solid waste pickup areas to assure trucks and crews have access to collect disposable materials.

***
Who will pick up my trash?
For residents receiving City service, WCA will resume regular, recycling, bulk and yard waste pickups this Monday, Sept. 11 at 7 a.m. Residents are reminded to bag all green waste, such as grass or leaves.
When will storm debris such as building materials and tree limbs be picked up and who is handling those collections?
Other waste resulting from Hurricane Harvey, such as construction, demolition debris and tree limbs, will be picked up in accordance with the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management debris management program. These materials should not be bagged. The county is scheduled to start this clean up over the weekend.
Will I receive a rebate or discount if WCA did not pick up my household trash, yard trimmings, and recyclable materials during or after the hurricane?
No. Pursuant to WCA’s contract with the City, if the company is unable to perform its duties because of an event out of its control, such as a hurricane or a tornado, WCA’s inability to perform must be excused during and after such event to provide crews with enough time to correct the adverse effect of the event.
Do I have to separate my trash for pick up?
Yes. Refer to the “Separating Your Debris” diagram above and on the homepage of the City’s website: www.missouricitytx.gov.

For updates, please watch the City website, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse).

Post-Harvey: City Proactively Prepared to “Fight the Bite”;

Officials Adding Extra Mosquito Spraying Days

In response to the heavy rains and high waterway levels from Hurricane Harvey, Missouri City will be performing additional mosquito spraying for the next six weeks.

Due to the temperature change, mosquitoes are on the rise and, starting Tuesday, Sept. 12, the City contractor will be conducting one additional spray per week. Spraying will take place in all communities every Tuesday and Thursday between the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Spraying covers all streets and neighborhoods within City limits, including the private streets of communities that have provided a gate code for accessibility by the spraying contractor. Also, in addition to the contractor’s cycle, City staff sprays common areas like parks, green spaces, and the Quail Valley Golf Course as the need arises.

An environmentally friendly pesticide, Kontrol 30-30, will be used and special attention will be given to locations where mosquitoes swarm, including public drainage areas.

“The City will continuously monitor this issue, as is done in all major water events, and may increase sprayings if necessary,” said City Manager Anthony J. Snipes. “Mosquitoes can be a health hazard and the spraying program is a key prevention measure we have in place to keep the populations low.”

Staff also encourages all residents to prepare themselves to “Fight the Bite” by following the 4 D’s:

DUSK/DAWN are the times of day you should try to stay indoors. This is when infected mosquitoes are most active.

DRESS in long sleeves, pants, loose and light-colored clothing when outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent.

DEFEND yourself by using an insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Follow label instructions and reapply as you would with sunscreen, after sweating and swimming.

DRAIN standing water in your backyard and neighborhood. Make sure that flower pots, water dishes, bird baths and wading pools are properly drained.

In the event you get a mosquito bite, experts recommend the first-aid procedures below:

Wash the bite with soap and water

Apply anti-itch cream or use calamine lotion or oatmeal bath for itching

Place an ice pack to reduce any swelling

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience dizziness, swelling of lips and throat or difficulty breathing.

For more information about Missouri City, please watch the City website:www.missouricitytx.gov, like us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX and watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse).

UPDATE: 9/1 1 p.m.: As of 12:15 p.m. the Brazos River is at 55.08’, after cresting at 55.19’ earlier today. The mandatory and voluntary evacuations remain in place until notification is shared by Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert. Residents with questions about the County’s evacuation orders may visit www.fbcoem.org or call 281.342.6185.

Although the Brazos River has begun to lower in our area, we still see its effects in our community. Continue to check the City’s interactive road closure map to see where high water areas and road closures are located.

The Red Cross has also closed the Thurgood Marshall High School shelter in Missouri City. For Information on the American Red Cross Shelters call 1.800.733.2767.

Donations are no longer going to be accepted at the Recreation and Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr., as the Center will begin preparing to opening for regular business hours. Residents may visit the Fort Bend County Office of Emergency Management’s website to learn about County donation drop-off locations.

Societal Restoration; Recovery for Citizens and the Business Community

Societal Restoration is a key objective of recovery from emergency situations. Recovery for our citizens and business community is vital to restoring our City’s way of life.

Homeowners

Homeowners are highly encouraged to file a claim with their insurance provider. It is important that homeowners understand the difference between a homeowners policy and a flood insurance policy.

A homeowner’s property insurance policy is administered through an insurance provider such as State Farm, Farmers, Travelers, etc. This policy will cover things related to Harvey and its tornados such as roof leaks, structural damage and content loss. Regarding water damage from rainfall to the structure, the homeowner’s policy will cover water damage that comes from the sky.

Flood insurance is administered by FEMA and is underwritten by insurance companies. Flood insurance is what provides coverage from water damage that results from rising flood water. This means that the flooding caused by Harvey or the rising river water that causes damage is covered under a flood insurance policy. A homeowner’s property insurance policy will not cover damage due to rising flood waters. For information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) homeowners can refer to www.floodsmart.gov.

A homeowner should always file a direct claim with their property and flood insurance carriers. They should also file for FEMA Individual Assistance (IA). Homeowners should file their FEMA application at www.disasterassistance.gov.

In certain circumstances a homeowner may receive their property insurance claim, however, the claim may not be enough to cover the cost of repairs (i.e. insurance deductible). Additionally, because a homeowner has insurance, FEMA may deny their application for benefits. If this occurs the homeowner can apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan. This very low interest rate government loan can potentially make up the gap to cover the cost of repairs. They can apply for this program at www.sba.gov.

Business Owners

In addition to applying for property insurance on their business, residents can also participate in the NFIP and purchase flood insurance. The same rules apply regarding Harvey damages and rising flood water. Small Business Owners are not eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance. They can apply for loans through the SBA at www.sba.gov.

In all cases, a flood insurance policy does not go into effect when initially purchased. There is a 30 day waiting period before a policy becomes active. If a policy was purchased a week before Harvey, and the property received flood water damage, the insurance claim will most likely be denied because the policy was not yet active.

In the coming days, FEMA and several insurance carriers will establish recovery centers to assist residents with applying for assistance. In all cases, FEMA applications should be filed online at the www.disasterassistance.gov website. This will expedite their application through the FEMA system. If FEMA denies benefits, the homeowner’s application is automatically forwarded to the Small Business Administration. The SBA coordinates its efforts directly with FEMA and will be present at the FEMA recovery center.

UPDATE: 9/1: WCA/VF Waste Services will resume regular service for solid waste that is placed in the blue cart. Please place your cart out at the curb in the same manner as you normally do. Recycling services will be suspended until Monday, Sept. 11, when they will resume as normal for all customers citywide.

Regular service will also take place on Monday, Sept. 4, for all customers on Labor Day. Please note, suspended WCA/VF Waste Services due to this storm event will not be made up or pushed to another service day. Safety is WCA/VF Waste Services’ number one concern; they hope everyone is safe during this time.

Our commercial collection service is operating on a limited basis. We are only collecting trash from hospitals, apartments, restaurants, and convenience stores. We will begin normal operations very soon.

All storm debris, including hazardous waste and construction debris, will be serviced on a separate schedule to be determined on a later date; details will be shared with residents when finalized. Please reference the above FEMA graphic for clarification regarding different debris types. City staff are finalizing details with the County and will notify residents of proper procedures when an announcement is ready regarding storm debris pickup.

Collection services were suspended the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, due to the severe weather and flooding caused from Harvey. WCA/VF Waste has been continuing to assess serviceability of the roadways and communities on a day-to-day basis and have been updating customers via their website and email announcement blasts. If you would like to receive updates, please register by sending an email to awilhite@wcamerica.com.

WCA/VF Waste’s mission is to provide the best service possible to communities, and during times like this, it is their goal to first collect putrescible waste, which is the material that begins to breakdown and, if left uncollected, would begin to decompose in the Houston heat.

WCA/VF Waste asks that residents separate their putrescible waste from their bulk waste to ensure proper and timely collection (a four bag maximum, per home, will be picked up each service day). WCA/VF Waste Services will not be collecting carpet or construction materials as regular collection related to this storm event. More details will be published at a later date.

WCA’s customer service line is 281.403.5800; due to the storm, residents may experience a delay in service while calling the line, but all questions and concerns will be addressed.

As Brazos Rises, Water Still Safe to Drink; Tennis & Rec Center Accepting Donations Again

UPDATE: 8/31 9 a.m.: As of Wednesday evening, Aug. 30, all water plants and water distribution systems in the City and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction are operating normally, and water is safe to drink. There is no need to boil water before drinking.

As the Brazos River flood levels crest and slowly subside, water levels in local creeks and ditches will remain high. Please turn off all landscape irrigation and avoid excess water usage. If toilets are difficult to flush, this will improve as water levels go down.

The Tennis and Rec Center located at 2701 Cypress Point Dr. Missouri City, TX 77489 is accepting donations on Thursday, Aug. 31 starting at 8 a.m. A list of items needed is as follows:

As of 6:15 a.m., the Brazos River’s latest observed value is 54.89’. It has a projected crest of 56’ on Friday, Sept. 1. Evacuation orders are still in place; residents will be notified through official City communications when the evacuation order has been lifted.

As the river rises, additional roads closures are being reported to the City. Covey Trail is closed from FM 1092 to Covey Trail Ct. due to high water causing the road to become impassible. Continue to check the City’s interactive road closure map to see where high water areas and road closures are located.

FEMA has a website for those in need of recovery assistance who may register and see if they qualify for housing and financial assistance from their agency: www.disasterassistance.gov.

Many of our residents have also asked about the status of their solid waste and recycling service. Our municipal solid waste and recycling service provider WCA Waste will not be providing service on Thursday, Aug. 31.

In response to requests from Fort Bend County law enforcement officials, Judge Bob Hebert has issued a curfew order for unincorporated areas of Fort Bend County. This curfew will be in effect beginning August 31, 2017 through September 6, 2017 each day from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The curfew states that the only people who may remain in or travel around on both public and private property … are:

Law Enforcement Personnel

People authorized by the County Judge to assist in the protection of the health, safety, or welfare of the public

Owners of the property in which they are found during curfew hours

A person who remains or travels upon private property which is owned by him or upon which the person has been invited

As a reminder, Missouri City Mayor Allen Owen has signed an order to establish a curfew from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for Missouri City. This order goes into effect immediately and will be in place until further notice. Residents may view the Mayor’s order.

Mayor Allen Owen also signed an emergency order of voluntary evacuation for portions of Missouri City on Tues., Aug. 29 based on the previous 59’ Brazos River level projected crest; view the document here.

Several vehicles in the Missouri City area were flooded out do to Hurricane Harvey. Residents looking to inquire about their vehicles may contact the following towing companies:

Collision Clinic – 281.261.0124

Eastside – 281.431.0427

Quality – 281.431.0427…

Elite – 281.733.3379

Gomez – 281.416.9227

Long – 281.642.3135

MD Wilson – 281.413.1533

Tri County – 281.416.8000

Uptown – 832.689.1657

Elite – 281.733.3379

Gomez – 281.416.9227

Long – 281.642.3135

MD Wilson – 281.413.1533

Tri County – 281.416.8000

Uptown – 832.689.1657

Fort Bend County Health and Human Services have been diligent in their efforts to share pharmacy and grocery stores that have begun opening their doors. Below is a list of pharmacies and stores that have begun opening their doors:

For additional information, residents should call the emergency operations hotline at 281.403.5801.

As of 9:15 a.m., the Brazos River’s latest observed value is 53.52’. It has a NEW projected crest of 56’ in the morning on Friday, Sept. 1. Evacuation orders are still in place; residents will be notified through official City communications when the evacuation order has been lifted. See up-to-date river projects and levels here.

As a reminder, Mayor Allen Owen signed an emergency order of voluntary evacuation for portions of Missouri City on Tues., Aug. 29 based on the previous 59’ Brazos River level projected crest; view the document here.

We have a number of shelters set up in place throughout the County for evacuees; a new shelter locatipon has been setup at Stafford High School, 1625 Staffordshire Rd., Stafford, TX 77477. As a reminder, animals must be crated at Red Cross Shelters. Donations can now be dropped off at the Recreation and Tennis Center, 2701 Cypress Point Dr., we are in need of the following items:

As of 8:15 a.m., the Brazos River’s latest observed value is 53.45’. It has a projected crest of 57.5’ at 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 1. Evacuation orders are still in place; residents will be notified through official City communications when the evacuation order has been lifted.

UPDATE 8/30 8 a.m.: Several vehicles in the Missouri City area were flooded out do to Hurricane Harvey. Residents looking to inquire about their vehicles may contact the following towing companies:

Collision Clinic – 281.261.0124

Eastside – 281.431.0427

Quality – 281.431.0427…

Elite – 281.733.3379

Gomez – 281.416.9227

Long – 281.642.3135

MD Wilson – 281.413.1533

Tri County – 281.416.8000

Uptown – 832.689.1657

Elite – 281.733.3379

Gomez – 281.416.9227

Long – 281.642.3135

MD Wilson – 281.413.1533

Tri County – 281.416.8000

Uptown – 832.689.1657

For additional information, residents should call the emergency operations hotline at 281.403.5801.For additional information, residents should call the emergency operations hotline at 281.403.5801.

NRG Center, 1 NRG Park, Houston, TX 77054 is now open for shelter of evacuated residents.

Due to inclement weather conditions, the Ladies Double Social Tournament scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 31 at the Tennis and Rec center has been cancelled. Please contact the Tennis and Recreation Center at 281.403.8637 for tournament updates.

WCA/VF Waste Services collection services were suspended the afternoon of Friday, August 25, 2017, due to the severe weather and flooding caused from Hurricane Harvey. WCA/VF Waste has been continuing to assess serviceability of the roadways and communities on a day-to-day basis and have been updating customers via their website and email announcement blasts. If you would like to receive updates via email, please register by sending an email to awilhite@wcamerica.com.

WCA/VF Waste’s mission is to provide the best service possible to communities, and during times like this, it is their goal to collect the putrescible waste first. This is the material that begins to breakdown and if left uncollected would begin to decompose in the Houston heat. WCA/VF Waste ask that residents separate their putrescible waste from their bulk waste to ensure proper and timely collection (A four bag maximum, per home, will be picked up each service day). WCA/VF WASTE SERVICES will not be collecting carpet or construction materials as regular collection related to this storm event.

WCA/VF Waste Services made the decision due to severe weather conditions, and safety concerns, to suspend operations for Wednesday, August 30, 2017, and possibly Thursday, August 31, 2017, for the greater Houston area. Bay City/Wharton/Matagorda County services will not run until the mandatory evacuation is lifted. As the storm dissipates and the streets clear through the Greater Houston Area, WCA/VF Waste anticipate site operations resuming Friday, September 1, 2017.

Please note, suspended services due to this storm event will not be made up or pushed to another service day. Safety is WCA/VF Waste Services number one concern; they hope everyone is safe during this time. Thank you for your patience and continued trust in WCA/VF Waste Services.

A list of Harvey Resources/FAQ’s is available on the City’s website, www.missouricitytx.gov, and the City’s Emergency Management website, www.missouricityready.com.

Residents with additional questions may call the citizen hotline at 281.403.5801 while the EOC remains activated; residents should use the hotline to report any damage to their property.

To receive news and alerts on flood safety, road closures and other emergency management issues, visit www.MissouriCityReady.com, the City’s official emergency management website; follow us @MissouriCityEM and @MissouriCityTX on Twitter, follow us on Facebook—fb/MissouriCityTX, Instagram and Snapchat—@MissouriCityTX, visit www.missouricitytx.gov, tune into 1690 AM, and watch Missouri City Television (Ch. 16 on Comcast and Ch. 99 on AT&T U-verse).

Footer

Get In Touch

Stay Connected

Get Involved

Missouri City wants to partner with all of its citizens and businesses to assure we all are prepared in times of emergencies. Join us by signing up for emergency notifications and by volunteering your time.